British American Independence songs

Subject: British American Independence songs
From: GUEST,Black Hawk on works PC
Date: 17 May 07 - 03:42 AM

For July 4th Independence Day our local gathering (UK) always hosts an American night.

This consists of artists singing/playing old time American offerings.

Although I mostly sing these type of songs anyway, I find it strange that we in England celebrate being defeated by a 'rabble' army. L.O.L.

For a change, does anybody know any songs that :-

a) Tell it from a British point of view

b) Are parodies of the more popular 'independence songs' (I already have the 'New Battle of New Orleans' by Ray Stevens (?).

Thanks for your help

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: GUEST,Darowyn
Date: 17 May 07 - 07:06 AM

There were Royalist American songs, I used one for a MIDI exercise a couple of years ago. It was called something like "Good Old Colonial Days"
I's here, if you want to have a go:-
Good Old Colonial Days
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: GUEST,PMB
Date: 17 May 07 - 07:09 AM

If there are any, Jack Campin is the one who will know about them- try a PM to him

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: GUEST,Black Hawk still at work
Date: 17 May 07 - 07:18 AM

Darowyn - Thanks, thats a good start. Just the type I need.

Keep 'em coming !!

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 17 May 07 - 08:06 AM

Chesapeake and Shannon

There are at least two songs aboput this enghagement.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: BuckMulligan
Date: 17 May 07 - 08:30 AM

The tune noted above is a variant of Three Jolly Rogues of Lynne - well-known back in the Scare days as a popular KT offering.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Snuffy
Date: 17 May 07 - 08:55 AM

I didn't know we'd won our independence from the USA. Perhaps we might get it when Blair goes.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 17 May 07 - 09:25 AM

Don't know about the war of independence but there are a couple of decent songs about the war of 1812 (which was a one-all draw): 'Battle of New Orleans' and 'The Guerriere and the Constitution', which Mick Hanly recorded in 1980.

Worth a read is Kenneth Roberts' novel 'Oliver Wiswell', which tells the story of the war of independence from the loyalist perspective.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 17 May 07 - 09:56 AM

"Chesapeake and Shannon" also refers to events of the War Of 1812-1814, as does a song about Laura Secord by the group Tanglefoot, as well us a number of other songs to be found in Canadian collections.   

The refugees who left the rebellious colonies in the 1770s for the loyal colonies farther north are known in Canada as the United Empire Loyalists. A quick glance at a couple of songbooks I have yields no results but googling "United Empire Loyalists" might turn up something.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: GUEST,Black Hawk not logged in
Date: 17 May 07 - 11:57 AM

Thanks Bob - I've glanced at some United Empire Loyalists sites but not found any songs yet. Will keep trying.
Comedy songs may be best in this situation - I dont want to start another war :-)

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: The Walrus
Date: 17 May 07 - 12:13 PM

You could always try the traditional versions of "Yankee Doodle" (After all, the original song makes a mockery of an American rustic -the eponimous "Yankee Doodle" - who thinks wearing feathers puts him on a sartorial level with an elaborate Anglo-Italian dresss parody*) - I believe during the war, the British military band practice was to play it ending in a musical 'raspberry'**

W


* IIRC, "Macaroni" was an English/British+ parody of an Italian take on an English fashion++.
** I believe this is mentioned in "Songs and Muisic of the Redcoats"
+ I don't know if 'Macaroni' was practiced o any extent in Scotland or Ireland
++ London once was a centre for fashion.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 17 May 07 - 12:19 PM

In DT (search for @Revolution @Tory)
A SONG ABOUT CHARLESTON
THE WHIG
REFUGEE SONG
THE REBELS
LIBERTY SONG (parody)
THE EPILOGUE
THE CONGRESS
CASTLE ISLAND SONG

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: MissouriMud
Date: 17 May 07 - 05:37 PM

Consider the Banks of the Dee - written in 1775 by Scotsman John Tait to bemoan (from a female perspective!)the departure of a friend who was headed to the colonies to help quell the "rebellion".   It was put to the slowed down tune of Langolee - beautiful tune. The Colonials liked it so much they made a parody of it.

The original and parody can both be found at http://www.americanrevolution.org/warsongs.html

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Jack Campin
Date: 17 May 07 - 06:20 PM

The best I know are the songs about John Paul Jones (the Osama bin Laden of the 1780s) and the response of the British establishment to the threat of having him blast coastal towns to oblivion (not a whole lot more effectual than Dubya and just as ludicrously self-important as the present-day "anti-terrorism" industry). There are also a shitload of songs expressing "hell no, we won't go" sentiments on the British side - as today, any soldier with half a brain would mutiny or desert.

If the OP cares to unGUEST him/herself and contact me I can send something.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 17 May 07 - 09:09 PM

Seventy years after the Declaration of Independence, the USA was in full expansionist mode. Annexation, a parody of Yankee Doodle, dates from this era.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 17 May 07 - 09:30 PM

Here's something. And here. Though neither are really the sort of thing you're looking for, I expect.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Black Hawk
Date: 18 May 07 - 02:34 PM

Still looking.

Jack Campin being helpful - thanks Jack

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 18 May 07 - 08:18 PM

Wikipedia describes the Battle of Bunker Hill as a Pyrrhic victory. Still a victory though. Broadside here.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Joe_F
Date: 18 May 07 - 09:49 PM

_Patchwork and Powder Horn Songs of the American Revolution_ (Folkways FH 5278, 1975) can be downloaded from the Smithsonian. It has a number of amusing songs on both sides. Here is one:

THE WICKED REBELS

On the ninth day of November, at the dawning in the sky,
Ere we sailed away to New York, we at anchor here did lie.
O'er the meadows fair of Kinsbridge, how the mist was hanging gray,
We were bound against the rebels in the North Americay.

Oh, how mournful was the parting of the soldiers and their wives,
For that no one knew for sartin they'd return home with their lives,
All the women were a-weeping and they cursed the cruel day
That we sailed against the rebels in the North Americay.

All the little babes were holding out their arms with saddest cries,
And the bitter tears were falling from their pretty simple eyes,
That their scarlet-coated daddies must be hastening away
For to fight the wicked rebels in the North Americay.

Now with "God preserve our monarch" let us finish up our strain,
Be his subjects ever loyal and his honor all maintain.
May the Lord our voyage prosper and our arms across the sea,
And put down the wicked rebels in the North Americay.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: GUEST,Black Hawk unlogged
Date: 19 May 07 - 05:08 AM

Good one Joe - how do I get the tune?

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Black Hawk
Date: 19 May 07 - 05:47 AM

Thanks all - plenty to be going on with.

I'll narrow them down to 3 or 4 for singing 'on the night'.

Cheers

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Joe_F
Date: 19 May 07 - 08:55 PM

Black Hawk:
http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/containerdetail.aspx?itemid=960
It shouldn't be hard to guess the last few notes. Or you can buy the whole album for $10.

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 19 May 07 - 09:44 PM

I recommend The British Light Infantry, which was sung by the Tories and of course the British troops. The words are in the DT, and you can find them at This spot .

More's the pity, the tune that's part of the DT doesn't play for me, but that might be a peculiarity of my own setup. Try it; it might work for you.

If not, PM me, and I'll sing and record it and send it to you by e-mail.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Black Hawk
Date: 21 May 07 - 07:31 AM

Still at work but Joe & Uncle Dave - I will try these as soon as I get home.

Thanks

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: The Walrus
Date: 21 May 07 - 11:45 AM

There's always "Britons Strike Home" - apparently it was from some 'opera' of the period, based (IIRC) on Boudica/Boadacea which has long since sunk without trace, however, "BSH" did gain some popularity (although whether with the soldiers in the field in the Colonies or with those in pubs in Britain, my source* didn't say)

I can only recall the chorus:

"Britons strike home
"Avenge your country's wrongs
"Fight, fight and record
"Fight, fight and record
"Yourself in Druids' songs."

W


* Long gone

Subject: RE: British American Independence songs
From: Black Hawk
Date: 21 May 07 - 12:29 PM

Hi Joe - I'm gonna try & buy the album from that site - thanks.

Uncle Dave - music file wont play for me either - PM on its way !!